8 Reasons You Should Forgive Them Already

1. Because Compassion Is Beautiful And Everyone Makes Mistakes

Girl, whatever they did to you really sucks. But you know what? Everybody makes mistakes! Everybody gets caught in some kind of lie or misunderstanding and all of that ends up ruining your whole relationship. Is it worth it? Now if we’re talking about someone who is constantly making mistakes, do what you think is best for you. But in the heat of the moment it’s so easy to just get mad and slice the head off of a voodoo doll named after your nemesis. But just remember that forgiveness is always a two way street. One day you’re going to do something to someone that will result in them hating your guts, and you will want to be forgiven. You will say, “Wait, let me explain” and they won’t want to hear it. Just like you, remember?

2. Because Living In The Past Sucks

Sometimes the best way to grow is to live in the moment, not the past. People who hold grudges are always inclined to talk about what happened “five months ago” or “last year” when really all we have is right now. Is it worth it to continuously live in the past and worry about some dumb thing someone did in the past?

3. Because Forgiving DOES NOT Mean You Forget

My aunt Jackie has this thing she always says: “When you forget, I remember.” It’s a lot more bitchy than it looks. It’s like saying, I might be playing nice and talking to you now, but I remember what you did you SCALLYWAG. When you forgive someone, it just means that you release all that negative energy you’ve kept pinned up inside of you and you give it away to the universe. You don’t have to forget what they did, and you are fully in your right to behave with caution around them, to distrust them for a little bit, at least until you build that trust back. Until then, forgive them but give them the side eye when they are not looking! Keep your purse zipped!

4. Because It Takes A Lot Of Strength To Forgive

It’s the easiest thing in the world to be mad at someone forever and hate their fucking guts. You cut them off from Facebook, you delete their number from your phone, you cut all contact with them. But doesn’t it take a bigger person to be all, “Yes, I know you fucked up but look at how nice I’m being to you right now?” You know why? Because you a bigger than someone who made you cry, who made you feel unloved, who led you on or whatever it is. You’re bigger than that, and you owe it to yourself to realize that and muster up the strength to forgive.

5. Because Forgiveness Creates Peace Of Mind

Not to go all new age/yoga on you people but when you forgive someone, what’s actually happening is that you’re creating space in your own mind and life to allow new experiences to happen. You open yourself up to great things. Peace of mind is so awesome.

6. Because Life Is Too Short To Be Mad At People When You Should Be Making Yourself Happy

Seriously, it is. That person you hate so much is going to die or move away or get into a car accident or something really really awful, and you’re going to feel so bad that you never got to tell them how you really felt. That’s the absolute worst. Don’t go through life holding a grudge. Everyone makes mistakes.

7. Because They Always Come Back

People are not that likely to admit when they were wrong but they sure as hell come back to the fountain for more, DON’T THEY!! They always pop back up 4 months, 6 months, a year after “the incident,” acting as if nothing happened. When they come back, and they always do, try to have open arms. It’s so hard, because all you want to do is bring up the past and remind them about all the things they said to you that they probably don’t remember because they aren’t the one holding the grudge. When they come back, try to be open, be accessible. Forgive, don’t forget.

8. Because Harboring All That Hatred Creates WRINKLES

Like, do you really want your nemesis to be the reason you get premature wrinkles?? Thought Catalog Logo Mark

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